Hectic

Well I had my week in the sun now things are hectic on my return Rolling needs completing orders stacking up, and my old pal Henry at Farsley needs a helping hand. 

Local Fishermen sorting the nets I hope they do better then our cricketers.

Catch of the day Tuna fish.

Cape Verde is off the cost of Africa further south than the Canary islands this is the it is an archipelago of 10 islands this is the Island of Sal -meaning salt- it is not green as the name suggest but desert like as the soil is too salty to grow most things in. Some of the other islands are green they are all volcanic of course.

Above is the only lion I saw the hills in the back ground are the sleeping lion of Sal. We went on a jeep trip and pretty much saw all the island in 5 hours. 

Some of the seed under the trees by the drainage work I have been doing just emerging when I got back.

In between the hail and rain showers I have been getting as much rolling in as I can.

On Sunday I got rained off so went in my green house repotted some Chrysanths and took some more cuttings.

Cuttings just taken in the propagator don't forget to put the lid on.

Rooted cuttings potted on I will end up with more than I can grow but then I will keep the best and give away the rest if I can find a happy home for them.

Also on a wet Sunday afternoon I completed the work refurbishing the Sisis Lawnman as you will have seen from my previous post. 

I was very impressed with the response I got because it sold within 12 hours. 

The power of this blog never ceases to amaze me. 

Do you think I should allow Google to advertise on it?

The chaos that is my garage.

The completed machine with the brush it also has the rake attachment its old but because of the quality is still a better machine than Sisis make today in my opinion.

Yesterday morning after taking delivery of grass seed I had to go collect some parts I was having machined from the engineer. In doing so I passed the iconic building of the Yorkshire Post.... Yorkshires National Newspaper and though its is not pleasing on the eye I was saddened to see it is being demolished.

Well thats progress and we all have to except change so I am constantly being told.

 I know by the stats that a lot of you view this blog so the odd comment, good if possible or at least sensible would be encouraging for me to continue spending my time doing it. 

If you are not already why not follow me?

Thats all I have time for at the moment folks its raining so into my garage get building Magic Sponges 

Don't forget to put your clocks forward an hour on Sunday

Let British Summertime Begin

Hodgy

Sisis Lawnman for Sale

I arrived back in Leeds from Cape Verde last Thursday the 20th March and it appears I missed the good weather that was around. Still not to worry all my jobs had be left for me no one had stolen them so it has been hectic since I got back. 

One of my jobs has been completing the refurbishment of a Sisis Lawnman I have had around for some time now.

It is now completed and up for sale, below you can see it in all its glory.

This machine made by Sisis is the best thing I know for raking out Cricket pitches it beats the new "Combirake" by miles.

Above you can see it with the brush attachment fit it has new wheels, a new brush and BMX racing handle bar grips.

 The brush and rake are quickly change with the release of a spring clip you can just see the stickin out the back on this photo.

Above you can see the wire rake attachment. 

I have refurbished it and it is is very good condition.

Here is a like to the "Combirake" showing a price of £495-00 plus VAT

You can own this for £300-00 plus VAT

Email or call me on 07831715355 if you are interested.

Normal blogging will be resumed tomorrow but I do need to earn some cash some time to be able to put all the time in to the blog I do.

Don't forget the seed trials in just over two weeks time 

Thursday the 10th April 4-30 

at KECC

Queenswood Drive 

Headingley 

Leeds 

LS6 3HT

Peace 

Hodgy

Seed Trials Open Evening 10th April 2014

Seed Trial Open Evening

Thursday the 10th April 2014 from 4-30pm onwards

At 

Kirkstall Educational C C 

Queenswood Drive 

Headingley 

Leeds LS6 3HT

Please let me know if you are coming just for catering purposes

my email is on the blog.

You may be aware that last Autumn I sprayed off 5 pitches at  Kirkstall and each one I seeded with a different cultivar or mix, well I have decided that on the 10th April after the IOG/ECB Groundsmans Course I am inviting all who would like to come to have a look at how the trials have worked out so far.

I am doing this in conjunction with Hurrells Seeds who kindly supplied the seed. 

They are providing sandwiches and will be there so you can ask questions of them and myself. 

I will have some photos of the various stages of development. so please take this as an invitation to come along.

 Seed ready for sowing 27th September.

Just emerging 12th October.

20th October 2013.

Dont forget get it in your diary.

No more post for a few days Anne is dragging me off on holiday.

Hodgy

What a Difference the Sun Makes

Had a good couple of days Saturday at Farsley and Sunday at Kirkstall. 

The weather has been superb this weekend especially today which was the first of the year I have worked in T Shirt and Shorts

Kirkstall after brushing and cutting with my old Dennis gangs. I think I have flattened more than cut but with my Mastiff out of commission its the best I could do.

Cameras are brilliant things you cant see all the moss I have in the outfield.  

Who said you cant stripe moss.

 My good pal Henry is recovering for an operation here he is looking well and contented at home on Saturday I called to see him after cutting his square at Farsley Cricket Club.

Get well soon Henry.

 Farsleys square cut in two directions he has a good cover of grass all looking healthy no need to fertilise just yet I don't think.

The bearing in the bell housing of the Mastiff clutch has gone and as the club has a cash flow problem  I am trying to fix it but I cant get the centrifugal clutch plate off . I tried my little blow lamp to no avail so off I took it to a friend of my son who has a garage and kindly offered to help with the Oxy/Acetylene torch but I still couldn't shift it. Next move off to Thoroughbreds the garage I use (Antony's son plays in our juniors)

to see if they can help. I hope they have some long legged pulley pullers.

I took in my first delivery of the season of fertiliser on Wednesday and made some deliveries round and about. sorry no photos I forgot to take any but I was in a hurry.

 I think the BBC have done filming. This is Dan the presenter just got an edge.....think he should watch the ball next time not the camera .... sorry he is a television  presenter.

My seed trials continue this is a Dwarf Perennial Rye Grass call as you can see Meloni. 

Hurrells Seeds have a license to grow it for seed production on their own farm.

Remember the name Meloni  it may be one to watch.

A few more picture of today Sunday as the Mastiff is poorly I had to fire up the old 24" Atco to cut my square with. I set it at just under an inch for you young uns say 20 mm.

Just one more thing I declared today  

World Groundsmans Day 

so if you got a hug you know why. 

Sleep well. 

Hodgy

Good News from ECB

We got some good news from the ECB they heard about the ten break-ins and have agreed a grant to go towards the security of the clubhouse. It has come from their emergency fund, we are very lucky to be getting it with all the floods around the country.

Tuesday or was it Wednesday  I was off up to the quarry to buy a tonne of 10mm gravel to backfill the drains.

I did some raking to help create a seed bed so I could get some seed in after filling the drains.

 Topping up going well.

Almost done.

Tuesday morning and some more vandalism. Lights ripped off wall. 

Why?

Sorry for poor photos taken with my ipad and the case was partially covering the lens.

Never make a photographer.

BBC back again.

BBC film crew with Nick Whitcombe the Crime Reduction officer at the back in the black coat, the bald guy is Dan the presenter, Richard in red and Graham in the gilet at the front, good guys all.

 Seeding time Hurrells 100% DPRG because thats what I had in stock best square mix sown at about 

1/2 oz per square yard -just for you young uns 15gms/square metre.

If you look closely you can see the seed, if you cant see it the pigeons will. 

I spread the seed with the fertiliser spreader (I still have some left for sale if any of you are interested at £120-00 plus VAT look up how expensive they are elsewhere.

After the seeding I also fertilised the square with a Autumn Winter with Iron..

I then brushed the square but I am afraid the photos came out very dark.

Ill post one just to see how it looks.

Square after fertilising and brushing,  a slightly manipulated photo.

Thomas Elliot fertiliser ready to go on.

Thursday was a painting day. 

This is another poor photo of a painting I have done of my Granddaughter from a photo taken at Castle Bolton when she dressed up in period clothes last Summer.

 Friday saw the third day of filming.

Friday also saw the fitting of our new high security doors. 

Ill have to start wiping my feet when I go in from now on.

 Door fitters got the job done in about three hours and a couple of pots of coffee.

Any Cricket Clubs out there want to make a real statement I can recommend these boys.

Things are looking up.

Hodgy